Composite paving block



Oct. 30, 1928.

E. C. WALLACE COMPOSITE PAVING BLOCK Filed May 25, 1926 24 MG.Ld l/@.

Patented 0a. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES EDWIN O. WALLACE, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

oomrosrrn PAVING BLOCK.

Application filed May 25,

This invention relates to combination paving blocks, and has for its object the production ofa paving block having a resilient member, and embodying parts of special construction and arrangement.

The desirable qualities of rubber and rubber compositions as surfacing materials for streets, sidewalks, etc., have long beehrecognized. Its great elasticity and tough, tenacious character in connection with its slight susceptibility to usual changes of temperature within the range of ordinary atmospheric conditions renders it almost ideal for the stated purpose.

In addition to the actual cost of the material-itself the greatest obstacle to its extensive use for the purpose described has been the difficulty of attaching it to the base in some suitable form and holding it in place, as the very properties which impartgreat. resistance to wear render the rubber dithcult to attach to other substances. It 1s to overcome such difficulties that the method herein described was devised, in order to secure the resiliency of rubber in conjunction with the rigidity of concrete, and for this purpose the block form of pavement seems best adapted, as the blocks may be manufactured at any suitable place and afterwards transported to and fixed in position upon the roadway, sidewalk or floor, as the case may be. The block herein described is a combination block, having a body of concrete or mortar or similar material, to which is attached, in a manner which renders it substantially inseparable, a facing, sheet or mat of rubber, rubber coated fabric or rubber composition of any nature to form a protective layer, therebypreyenting the concrete or mortar from being 1n uriously affected by the abrasive action of traflic.

In accordance with this inventipn the blocks may be made of any desired slze and shape, and the one herein d6SCI'1bd, Wl 11le particularly well suited for street paving purposes, is only one of the many forms that may be employed. For sidewalks, floors etc., smaller blocks may be used with equallygood results and with less expense.

For street work I prefer to make the blocks hexagonal in shape with sides approximately three inches. Blocks of such shape have angles of one hundred and twenty degrees and are easier to cast or mold than blocks having right or acute angles. This size and.

1926. Serial No. 111,524.

shape also give each block a good contact sur face with each of the surrounding blocks and tends to hold it in the desired position.

The preferred form and arrangement of the parts of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which-- The figure represents the preferred form of this invention, showing the resilient surface members on the top and bottom of the block, and showing also the grouting in the spaces between the adjoining blocks.

Throughout the description and drawings the same number is used to refer to the same part.

As illustrated in the figure, the surface members 23 and 24 are shown attached to the top and to the bottom of the concrete body 22 of the block. Each surface member may have the rim flange 25 and the re-entrant angular groove 26 as in the previous shapes. If necessary for additional security in any instance the surface members may be connected with each other by the post 27 which may or may not have the enlarged portion 28, the post being formed integrally with the surface members and being embedded on all sides by the concrete of which the body of the block is composed. 'Either face of the block which is constructed in accordance with this invention may be arranged uppermost, and grouting or filling 29 may be applied between the adjoining blocks. This material may be a thin layer of Portland cement or lime grout poured intothe spaces between the blocks.

The surface member-or wearing tread of the blocks made in accordance with this invention is composed of a sheet or mat of rubber, rubber'composition or rubber coated fabric, which rests upon the concrete or mortar body of the block, and the post or other retaining device is intended to secure the rubber member and the concrete body permanently together so that they cannot separate without disruption of one or the other named part, The posts may be of any size or shape as herein describedfand it is not intended to limit such parts either as to particular shape or number or disposition with respect to the member of which they constitute a part. Likewise, it is not .intended to confine this invention to the precise size, configuration or location (if the flange element as set forth. It is advantageous to provide a rimfiange to hold the circumferential edge portion of the surfacemember and the body of the block always tightly together which effectually prevents the edge of the surface member or mat from lifting under the action of passing traflic.

In the manufacture of the double faced blocks a different mold is required. The two surface members or mats connected by the posts or other devices are placed in the mold in such manner that the mats are at the ends with the posts extending horizontally between them. The concrete forming the body of the block is then cast or molded around the posts resulting in a block faced at each end with rubber, rubber composition or rubber coated fabric. I

The surface members may be made with smooth surface, or they may be corrugated or roughened or embossed in any desired pattern.

In the construction of pavements, side walks, etc., a firm foundation is first prepared, such as the foundation 30 shown in section in Figure 9, .and brought to proper grade and contour. A cushioning coat of sand, which may be used dry or coated with oil or soft bituminous composition, is then spread to approximately one inch in depth. The prepared blocks are then placed in posi tion and firmly seated by ramming. If considered necessary after laying the blocks may be grouted with hydraulic cement grout, or if desired, the blocks may be covered on the bottoms and sides with an adhesive waterproof coating before placing in position. As double faced blocks are used the coating is, of course, confined to the sides 'of the blocks, and it is better to use the sand cushion dry or dampened with some material which does not affect rubber.

In laying all sorts of block pavements itis necessary to provide sectional blocks in order to fill in small places adjacent to curbing, walls, etc., varying in size. These small blocks are formed in the same manner as full size blocks with such modifications of size and shape as are demanded for the purpose.

In accordance with this invention and by this method of construction a block is formed having a very tough, tenacious wearing surface securely attached thereto. The mat cannot be detached from the block without cutting vin strips or breaking the block, so that vided with devices for securing them to the concrete body, and a member connected with the said top and bottom coverings and pass ing through the said body to additionally secure the top and bottom coverings, the said crete and top and bottom coverings of rubber material. means for attaching the top and bottom to the concrete body, and securing means passing through the body and connecting the top and bottom.

4. A paving block having a body of concrete and top and bottom coverings of rubber material, said top and bottom having integral projecting portions for securing the top and bottom to the body, and securing means connecting the top and bottom centrally and passing through the body.

5. A paving block having a body of concrete and top and bottom coverings of rubber material, said top and bottom having integral projecting portions for securing the top and bottom to the body, and a portion integral with the top and bottom connecting thesame and passing through the body to ad ditionally secure the top and bottom.

6. A paving bloc'k comprising a body of molded material having eight sides excluding the top and bottom with angles between adjacent sides of approximately 135 and provided at its top with a mat or protective cover of rubber or rubber composition having downwardly extending arms or studs constricted near the point of juncture and integrally attached thereto, one stud placed between alternate angles and the center of the mat, the blocks being molded or cast,

around the studs tofirmly attach the-cover 'to the molded body. 7. A paving block having a body of'concrete and top and bottom portions of rubber material superficially disposed, and securing means passing through the body to connect and secure the said top and bottom portions of rubber material.

. 8. A paving block having a body of concrete and top and bottom superficial portions of rubber material, and" a member formed integrally with thesaid top and bottom portions and passing through the block vto secure the portions together.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWIN c. WALtAoE. 

